While I actually admire what you've done, I have to ask, what drove you to this decision? And what keeps you going? I apologize if you've already addressed these things in your tweets, but I do not subscribe to twitter so I have no knowledge of you prior to this. I find this completely fascinating, as most adults lack both the attention and drive to make a commitment such as this.

I hit Rock bottom and lost sight of who I was. I honestly questioned myself and my existence. I needed something. Something big. A challenge where I would have to survive and test all levels of who I am to find the person inside me again. Through this I am learning more about myself than ever. And I'm actually very happy and suprised how patient I can be and the will I have displayed. Also have been very humbled and appreciate little things and moments more than ever now

Nick seems to be going about things differently than Chris would have, i.e. staying in contact with people; not putting himself away from EVERYTHING. If something goes wrong for Nick, someone will likely be close to help him.

I want to believe his responses and he does seem sincere. That being said, the moment I saw the AMA title, the cynical part of me smelled a "I'm going to do something weird for a year(ish) and then write a book about it / become a motivational speaker" scheme.

I get food either from dumpsters, or random strangers who pull over, once in a while someone who I don't know who follows or heard about my journey will track me down and give me money/food also. If I have money I will buy some cheap stuff like bread/canned food, then give the rest of the money away. I have bought or been given a couple shirts along the way (goodwill) also. Same shorts I started with though. I have no bank card or credit card. No source of getting money at all besides strangers. At one point in Mississippi I was given $300 by a handful of complete strangers who pulled over. They had no clue what I was doing but gave me money. Mississippi was unreal. All the south in fact. Major hospitality

From my experience, living on the streets is not as bad as it has always sounded from tv/movies/news/white tails. Granted that I could get analy gang raped and murdered tonight and that all goes down the can. But so far it really has not been bad at all. I meet tons of homeless too and never hear of anything bad. I don't think crime is directed at homeless as much as its related to drug dealing or gang on gang violence... Just my thoughts

I just try and find somewhere hidden in a nicer area. I'm usually in the middle of nowhere so sleeping behind bushes of the side of the highway is never an issue. Nobody comes by there... In towns I look for churches to sleep behind, or parks. But for sure at times have to rough it. If its not the best hidden spot I will sleep with my stuff right next to me. I almost cuddle with it so if someone attempts something I will wake up and defend myself. Il hoboshank someone in a second!! I sleep very light also and wake up to any little sounds. I've adapted into that

If you dont feel done when you hit the coast just take a right turn and head north. Towards alaska and take a boat to russia and keep heading west. That will be a real challenge, not speaking the language and way harsher weather. You would probably die to be honest but if normal life makes you want to commit suicide.. why not?

No wife/kids. But I do have a big family. At first they were pretty worried and concerned. But now since they read my journals and know my thoughts and see how I'm growing, they are cool about it now. Actually my mom and dad are driving this weekend to come walk a day with me!

Met a recently retired NFL player (Corey fuller) who just retired from the ravens, total random in the middle of nowhere he came up to check on me while I was taking a nap in the forest of Florida... Met about 5 bicyclists riding across country. Met a father/son walking across the country. A group from Chicago also walking across the country. Met a man who tracked me down who crawled 1600 miles in 1976 on his hands and knees! Hans mulligan. Few others too!

My girlfriend and i have 3 kids, its hard raising them and tests me everyday. This morning she says to me "think of all the love you have in your life and what we have, thats what i do in the mornings". Is there anything you tell yourself in the morning ,or along the way, to keep you moving forward each day?

Honestly have not seriously considered quitting or being bailed out. I really don't see that as an option. I have mentally commited do much to this that in my mind its the ocean in CA or bust. But I guess I never know for sure... I'm not sure when/if I will quit. It's hard to look even a few days ahead. I'm always in constant survival mode and thinking about what's immediately in front of me. So once I make it I have no idea. Maybe start a homeless rickshaw business in Los Angeles haha... For sure has made me more aware of the homeless community. There a lot of homeless people who's stories blew me away. One man was diagnosed with terminal cancer and never traveled before. Had a job but was still not in a place to afford it. Took off on a bike to travel the country before he dies. Lives homeless and has felt more alive than ever. He is expected to expire before the end of the year. Wild stuff

I was at first. But now I just seem to trust that I will be ok and sort of release the fear. After all, if I do get jacked up one day, it wasn't worth worrying for a month about it. I will worry about stuff as it happens. But I do hope I don't get chopped up haha.. Only trouble up to now has been the weather and crazy storms. Monsoons where I almost lose gear to extreme winds blowing ect.

I don't and havnt panhandled once, nor have I asked anyone for anything at all...

The best spot is a church in a small town that has a soft surface I can lay on while I'm hidden and it's quiet.

Some factors for good sleep are low noise, soft ground, well hidden, no bugs ect.

I have been sleeping under a lot of bridges lately since I'm in the desert and that's all there is for miles at a time. Some days there's no towns I cross and I have to stay at an overpass of an exit that has nothing there. Also abandoned gas stations have been clutch lately too

I find it interesting that people actually try to go out of their way to feed or hang out with a homeless person that reports about it on the internet, yet aren't likely to give a quarter or a spare cigarette to a homeless person that is just sitting on the street. I'm curious what your opinion is on this Nick, as well as every else's.

I hook up anyone I see that looks like they need help. I don't help beggars who try and hustle. I just use my seance and feel sometimes when someone is worthy of help or not. I'm sure I'm not always right but either way I give a lot away and get a lot back in return

I didn't know what else to do. I was in a bad place in my head. Trying to stick to the life I was living was just causing me more and more anger and frustration. Couldn't figure out why I wasn't happy? Even with material stuff and money. I didn't know where to turn so I put myself in a spot where I knew it would be tough. I think I need to be this low in order to build back up again. And if I can walk across America while living homeless with nothing, I will be a more confident and appreciative person after this. I think I can do a lot more with this life. Good things in helping others

I really am not sure. I'm from CA so I will have family and friends there when I finish. But I really don't have a clue what will happen from there. A few days to take it all in at least for sure. On the beach

Sail (or fly, I suppose) across the Pacific to Hawaii, live in Paia, learn to surf. If I ever get out of this rat race, that's my plan. Open a small bar/restaurant, go surfing every morning, and just live.

I'm leaving on a similar venture, travelling the U.S me and my best friend and camping out in all the national parks, busking for money, and trying to find and center ourselves spiritually, physically etc. Any tips? I leave January 1, 2013!

Don't judge anyone by there appearance. To live in the Moment. Learned to really appreciate the small things that I used to take for granted. Like a shower lol or a soft place to sleep. Air conditioning. Indoors to keep bugs off of your skin all night.

Haha no bum fights. Honestly, not sure why, but I've seen a few fast food employees fight eachother along the way haha maybe because I spend so much time sitting in fast food joints to take breaks and charge my iPod

I shower in laundromats. Well bath actually. Strip down naked in the bethroom, bathe out of the sink. Change I to spare set of clothes. Then do laundry. I can only do this when I can afford to and the timing is right that I come across a laundromat while I have money too

I know you've said you don't have any set plans for after you're done traveling, but maybe you should think about taking your blog and turning it into a book (self published on Amazon maybe)? You seem to be taking the "pay it forward" approach to everything you receive, maybe proceeds from said book could go to helping homeless across the country?

I am a 23yr old woman, I just got done traveling Europe and Morocco, and am very interested in doing this exact thing. Have you had encounters that you think might have ended different were you a female? Negative ones, in particular.

I don't think you should say you are homeless. You chose to be without a home and material possessions. You are 'disconnected.' Homeless implies need and social action. Your situation is directly of your own making.

Let me start off by saying that this whole projects of yours is really impressive as I would never be able to do anything like that. However, there's one thing that concernes me... What will you do when you're done? What's gonna happen with your life, how will this all affect you?

I'm not sure where this will go. All I know is that I have grown into a much better person. I have attained many new perspective on life and my mindset on what's important is a lot different than ever before. Would like to maybe do many things but overall just do what I enjoy. That seems to be what success really is. Being happy is something I will always put first. Hope to help others in many ways!

How do you carry enough water/food for the long distances between towns? Do you just walk along the major highways? Take backroads? I assume you don't do any kind of siteseeing, just point a to point b strategy. Sad, because you really need to go up and see the inner basin while in Flagstaff.

Also, you realize walking across Nevada is going to be extra shitty right? The Nevada ranges are intense. Good luck!

Edit: Also, a tip from another successful cross country walker (not me yet): try figuring out what city/town you'll land in at night. Call their police non-emergency number and tell them you're walking across America and ask if they have suggestions on where you should sleep.

Where will you end up as you continue west? San Diego? LA? If you make it to LA, I'll gladly buy you a great meal and let you use my shower and washer and dryer. Even the homeless have to be clean and groomed here to fit in.

From your experiences, how am I supposed to treat the homeless/beggars? Do I acknowledge them? Should I always give them money? What is socially acceptable? I don't think I should have to be guilty of anything in my life but don't want to come off as a dick. I like helping people but obviously I can't give money to every homeless person I meet, or else I'd join them. What is the correct answer?

Just talk to them for 5 minutes. If they beg then screw them. Just someone talking to me really lifts my spirits. If they are nuts, talk to them for 30 seconds then scram! Carry cracker snacks in your car and hand those out. It's cheap and still really helps!